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theguardian.com
The Guardian view on migrant workers’ rights: a tribunal win has shone a light on a broken system | Editorial
The shocking case of a man left on the breadline after being recruited to work in the UK’s care sector should prompt ministers to actThe risk of mistreatment for overseas workers recruited for jobs in the UK on health and care visas is well established. Examples range from rip-off agents’ fees and illegally low pay to conditions akin to debt bondage, with passports and wages withheld. But Shabin Shaji’s employment tribunal win over Swan Care Solutions Ltd is thought to be the first time that an individual has succeeded in forcing a business to hand over unpaid wages. His victory should give hope to others in similar situations. It is also a chilling illustration of how migrant workers can become trapped in an unbalanced system in which they have too few rights.Mr Shaji, a computer science graduate, left his home in south India in 2023 and paid £17,000 to an agent who helped him to get a job with Swan in Stafford. Last month, a judge in Birmingham awarded him nearly £30,000 after he spent a year without work, pleading with Swan for shifts that never materialised, while living off scraps and the kindness of strangers. He eventually found other work, but has since returned to India. Swan lost its licence to sponsor migrant workers.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What do UK watchdog’s new rules on Google AI results mean for publishers?
Giving news websites the power to block their content from being used in AI summaries will have global ramificationsThe UK’s competition watchdog has ordered Google to change how it uses publishers’ content in its AI-powered search results, in a move that will have global ramifications.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is using powers that allow it to set bespoke rules for major tech firms that it deems to have “strategic market status”. Google, the world’s largest search engine, is one of those companies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What does Andy Burnham mean by more ‘public control’ of water and energy? He is too vague
The Manchester mayor is tapping into deep public frustration over the water industry but at some stage he needs to say what he meansThere ought to be a rule to oblige politicians advocating “stronger public control” of an essential service or sector to say what, precisely, they mean. Public “ownership” is easy to understand – it’s nationalisation. But Andy Burnham, when he cites water and energy as targets for greater public control, seems to imply something else. What?Would he, for instance, torpedo the government’s current plans for water, notably the “once-in-a-generation” reset of regulation in England and Wales via the clean water bill due in the autumn? Or is he merely saying Thames Water should be tipped into special administration, which may happen anyway without a shove from a new prime minister? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EU aims to ensure foreign governments or firms cannot disrupt tech services with ‘kill switch’
European Commission proposals aim to reduce ‘risky dependencies’ on foreign suppliers in cloud computing, AI and semiconductorsThe EU executive wants to ensure no foreign government or company has access to a “kill switch” to turn off or disrupt vital tech services across the continent, as part of an effort to cut dependencies on the US and China.Publishing “technological sovereignty” proposals that risk further tensions with Donald Trump, the European Commission said on Wednesday the bloc needed to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and semiconductor production. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lack of childcare support for parents in higher education | Letter
Roberta Leem-Bruggen says she was working full-time hours in NHS settings but was considered a ‘non-earner’ and therefore not eligible for childcare supportJamie Evans’ letter on childcare eligibility and the “nerd tax” (28 May) strongly resonated with me because I have experienced versions of this problem throughout higher education.In 2020, I was a single parent studying for a clinical master’s degree. I spent over 40 hours a week on compulsory NHS placements while completing academic work. During that time, I received universal credit, including the childcare element, which enabled me to continue my studies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
City & Guilds faces legal and industrial action over plans to cut hundreds of jobs
New crisis at former vocational charity involves alleged withholding of data and breaching redundancy lawsCity & Guilds is facing potential legal and industrial action over claims it has been “dishonest” over plans to shed about 400 UK staff.Officials at the Unite union allege the owner of the training and qualifications body has been “unlawfully withholding key information during transfer consultations”, while also “advertising for new recruits when it is legally required to give staff at risk of redundancy first refusal”. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US announces new tariffs over forced labour concerns
It comes after the US Supreme Court struck down many of US President Donald Trump's previous duties in February.
theguardian.com
Nissan maps out deal to build cars for China’s Chery at its Sunderland plant
Non-binding agreement to start assembling vehicles in 2027 would safeguard jobs at UK’s largest car factoryNissan has agreed to look at building cars in northern England for Chinese manufacturer Chery, in a move that would secure jobs at the UK’s largest car factory and begin mass-market Chinese car production in Britain for the first time.The Japanese carmaker said on Wednesday it had signed a non-binding agreement and that discussions were ongoing over contract manufacturing by Nissan for Chery, which is part-owned by the Chinese state. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Lloyds customers unable to make payments due to IT glitch
Bank apologises after IT update caused problems with Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland appsLloyds Banking Group has apologised after thousands of its customers were unable to make payments or send money due to another IT glitch.According to Downdetector, a website that lets people track real-time service issues and outages, customers started noticing problems shortly after 11am on Wednesday, with issues affecting many of the group’s brands: Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows and MBNA. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland back after online banking outage
"We're aware some customers are having issues with our app and online banking. We're really sorry about this," Lloyds Bank posted on X.
theguardian.com
UK government to pay £1.3bn to help fund Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire
Chancellor hails deal saying it will create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectorsBritish taxpayers will provide £1.3bn in funding to help the Hollywood studio giant Universal build its first theme park in Europe.Comcast, the US media company that owns NBC Universal and Sky, had been considering a number of countries in which to build its first European theme park. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Universal park officially named as government pledges £1.3bn
The government's contribution is going towards upgrading local infrastructure and transport links.
theguardian.com
Big tobacco uses cigarette playbook to help sell ultra-processed foods, journal reveals
New issue of the American Journal of Public Health focuses on parallels between marketing for cigarettes and UPFsThe new issue of the American Journal of Public Health focuses on ultra-processed foods, and reveals that big tobacco companies used strategies that helped them sell cigarettes to sell ultra-processed food products, including Lunchables, geared toward children.The parallels between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and cigarettes include not only how UPF products were formulated and marketed to drive excess consumption, but also the growing body of evidence linking UPFs to a variety of health risks. For UPFs, these include cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and cognitive health decline. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Antibiotics use in livestock could rise by a third in next 15 years, UN report warns
Governments urged to act to prevent potentially disastrous impacts on human resistance to medicinesThe use of antibiotics on livestock will rise by nearly a third in the next 15 years without government intervention, according to new global estimates, with potentially disastrous impacts on human resistance to essential medicines.Animal husbandry accounts for close to three-quarters of global use of antimicrobial medications and in many countries their use is poorly monitored. Some herds are routinely dosed and in many countries antimicrobials are used to increase the growth of animals bred for meat. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Can autonomous AI-powered killer drones take morality onboard?
While the technology is set to play a growing role in modern warfare, there remains an unresolved ethical challengeShould the AI-powered drones of the future have a licence to kill? The question is becoming ever more pressing as governments and the defence industry acknowledge that drone systems will play an increasingly crucial role in future warfare.With drones being deployed in huge numbers in the Ukraine war and AI being used to assist bombing missions in the Iran conflict, there is an expectation among some observers that weapons will have to operate with increased operational autonomy, which means they will need something approximating a moral framework. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Future AI weapons such as drones should have moral code, says former UK spy chief
Software could make ethically superior decisions to humans in high-pressure moments, claims ex-GCHQ head David OmandDrones will need to be programmed with moral guidelines as AI-driven decision making reduces human involvement in autonomous warfare, according to a former UK spy chief.David Omand told the Guardian that he had changed his mind on unmanned weapons systems, more than a decade after concluding that autonomous drones could not comply with international humanitarian law. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Makerfield voters see cost of living and high street among top priorities, poll shows
Exclusive: Voters value changes ‘so we can afford to actually have a life’, as well as immigration policy and honesty in politiciansVoters in Makerfield rank the cost of living, declining high streets and public services as among the most important issues locally, with many also disillusioned by the political system and distrustful of politicians, according to research.The findings – shared exclusively with the Guardian – come from a focus group commissioned by 38 Degrees and carried out by JL Partners. The fieldwork took place roughly two weeks before the byelection on 18 June, when the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, is hoping to see off a challenge from Reform UK. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump threatens tariffs on 60 trading partners including UK and Canada over ‘forced labour’
Proposal for 10-12.5% levies, to also include EU, Taiwan and Australia, would allow US president to skirt court-imposed limitsDonald Trump has threatened tariffs of between 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners including the UK, the EU and Australia over alleged forced labour failures, in the latest attempt to revive his signature trade policy.The EU immediately hit back, saying it expected the US to respect the tariff deal it entered into last July and arguing that stealth tariffs breached the spirit of that agreement. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
As the tech mega-IPO race heats up, has OpenAI missed its moment?
With rivals racing to market to raise ‘eye-popping sums’, the spotlight is now on the AI sector’s one-time ‘poster child’A year is a long time in AI. Just 12 months ago, Sam Altman was predicting his company OpenAI would build a super intelligence and fundamentally remake society. Now the boss of the ChatGPT developer is walking back those ideas after failing to make money from ads and erotic chatbots.Meanwhile, rivals are storming ahead with plans to expand and go public on the stock market, in what is widely expected to be a season of record-setting initial public offerings (IPOs). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The ‘fricy’ flavour sensation: why spicy fruit is the sweet hot taste of this summer
We’ve had swicy. We’ve had swavoury. Now a new fusion of flavours is flying off the shelves. So what do these South American-inspired drinks and dishes actually taste like?When the balance of fruit and spicy flavours is right, “I love it,” a fellow customer at a dessert cafe in London tells me as we wait to be served. It’s 26-year-old Hannah’s third time visiting Mango Twist in Seven Sisters, which sells South American-inspired slushies and fruit bowls. She’s here, like me, to order one of its “fricy” (fruity and spicy) offerings: the “Volcano” slushie, which is the cafe’s take on the traditional Mexican chamoyada, a mango and chilli drink.Hannah has family in the US, so is familiar with the Mexican sweet treats that are commonly available there; as a child she was “obsessed” with the flavours. So when she found out about Mango Twist, “I was like, ‘I need to come here,’” she says. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Americans should be reassured by high prices, apparently. Does Trump's team really think we're that stupid | Arwa Mahdawi
According to chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett, living in the world’s richest superpower and witnessing food, electricity and housing become luxury items is a good thingGod, I love paying high prices at the supermarket, don’t you? I walk outside with a bag of basics that cost approximately 500% more than they did a few years ago and it makes me feel so optimistic about life. What a wonderful thing to live in the US – the world’s richest superpower – and witness food, electricity and housing become luxury items.Donald Trump’s chief economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, knows what I mean. On Sunday Hassett went on Fox News to inform the US public that high prices are good, actually. Trust him – he’s an economist. Yes, it’s true that last month the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index dropped to its lowest point since the survey began in 1952 and Americans are feeling grim about the economy. But as Hassett explained, “The Michigan survey no longer has anything to do with the economy … it’s just a place where Democrats get to register how angry they are at President Trump.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Federal workers experiencing ‘PTSD-like symptoms’ after unlawful firings by Trump administration
In survey of more than 300 fired probationary employees, 95% reported continuing mental health effectsUS federal workers laid off by the Trump administration say they are experiencing mental health effects, including PTSD-like symptoms, from losing their jobs, according to a new survey.More than 300 fired probationary employees were surveyed, with 95% reporting ongoing mental health effects, according to 27UNIHTED, a network of former National Institute of Health (NIH) employees. Nearly half said they were experiencing PTSD-like symptoms, and a quarter are taking new medications to manage symptoms. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK media websites given power to block Google using their articles in AI search
Watchdog makes ruling on search summaries after publishers complain about drop in click-through traffic and revenueBusiness live – latest updatesOnline publishers and news organisations are now able to block their content from appearing in Google’s AI summaries in UK search results, the British competition watchdog has announced.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the new requirement would “put publishers, like news organisations, in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
OECD predicts spate of recessions globally if Iran conflict drags into 2027
Policy forum lays out ‘prolonged disruption’ scenario in which world’s GDP falls to 2.1% this year from 3.4% in 2025Rural UK ‘particularly at risk’ of diesel shortagesIf the Middle East conflict drags on into next year it would hit global growth hard, driving some economies into recession and causing energy shortages, according to forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.In its latest Economic Outlook, the Paris-based club of industrialised countries lays out a “prolonged disruption” scenario, in which there is no agreement between the US and Iran until 2027. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How to invest £50 a month: tips for people at different ages
Experts explain how small, regular sums can build wealth over time, from your 20s through to retirementThinking about investing? There are compelling reasons for moving at least some of your money away from standard savings accounts and into the stock market. There are also risks, but over the long term the rewards can be better.Many people are put off by the idea that you need to be wealthy to start investing, or over a certain age. But even if you can only afford to set aside £50 a month, it is worth considering. And while there are important factors to consider before you start, it is rarely too early, or too late, to take the first step. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Quite shocking’: why was a vulnerable customer sent a £8,400 energy bill?
ScottishPower apologises for charging error, as millions face higher costs under revised energy price capThe energy bill from ScottishPower sent Richard Palmer into an immediate panic. It said he had to pay more than £8,400 straight away or risk his credit history being impaired for years.The 76-year-old felt he had no option so he paid the bill, using half of his savings to do so, even though it amounted to nine times what his annual payment would normally be. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Publishers in UK can opt out of Google AI search results
The Competition and Markets Authority says it would put publishers "in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google".
bbc.com
'Without free meal, it's a cup of soup for dinner'
Community cafe in Boston says numbers rose from about 60 to more than 90 at the start of the year.
theguardian.com
The EU should fast-track Ukraine’s membership of the club – it has the most to gain | Mujtaba Rahman
Many EU governments oppose it, but the strategic advantages of swift admission could be immenseRussia’s war on Ukraine is now in its fifth year and a ceasefire remains elusive. The US’s attention is divided, limiting external pressure for compromise, while Moscow and Kyiv both still believe they can strengthen their respective negotiating positions through battlefield gains.At some point, however, a deal will have to be done. The parameters of that deal are already understood by negotiators on all sides. Russia will give up on its original war aims and Ukraine will make de-facto territorial concessions. The US will provide Kyiv with security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression and the EU will provide Ukraine with a membership path as well as help with the country’s postwar reconstruction.Mujtaba Rahman is the managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, a political risk research and consulting firmDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nicola Sturgeon’s ex and his £400,000 shopping spree
Fast cars, luxury watches – and, of course, that motorhome: the list of what former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds is dizzying. Severin Carrell reports.As chief executive of the SNP Peter Murrell was an extraordinarily influential politician. Along with former SNP leader Alex Salmond he helped turn the party into an election-winning machine. And he married the woman who would increase its popularity even further – Nicola Sturgeon. Then came the news he had admitted embezzling money from the party – and using it to buy everything from toilet rolls and instant coffee to a Jaguar.At the weekend Sturgeon felt compelled to break her silence and give an interview to the BBC, insisting she knew nothing about her now ex-husband’s crimes. The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, explains how the case is still unfolding, with a court hearing this week and sentencing this month. He tells Annie Kelly what we have learned about Murrell’s behaviour. “It was almost as if you had a teenager funding their entertainment habits and a lavish lifestyle on somebody else’s credit card,” he says. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Three-quarters of workers not on track for 'moderate' pension income, report suggests
A newly-published report suggests a moderate lifestyle in retirement costs £32,700 for one person and £45,400 for two.
bbc.com
The 18 creatures in the running to be on the new banknotes
The Bank of England is asking the public which animals should appear on future banknotes.
theguardian.com
Puffins, dolphins and bumblebees in running to feature on new UK banknotes
Bank of England says updated imagery will celebrate native wildlife while bolstering anti-counterfeit featuresPuffins, dolphins and bumblebees are among the wildlife that could feature on new banknotes in the UK as the Bank of England announces its shortlist.There has been controversy over the decision, with figures including Nigel Farage criticising the Bank for, he claimed, wanting to replace Winston Churchill with a beaver. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said it was “a silly thing to do”, and Reform UK’s Farage called it “absolutely crackers”. In the end, no beaver appeared on the shortlist. Mammal options include bottlenose dolphins and red foxes. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Microsoft testing wearable AI gadget aimed at office workers
The company said its own workers are testing a "wearable access badge" and a desktop device.
bbc.com
Microsoft says new quantum chip 1,000 times more reliable than predecessor
The tech giant predicts it will have a quantum computer that can solve commercially useful problems by the end of the decade.
theguardian.com
The BP drama will fade: boards are allowed to ditch the chair
Rather than a continuation of the company’s recent issues, isn’t this an example of the board doing what it is supposed to do?An easy narrative about the great BP boardroom drama runs like this: the plodding non-executive directors couldn’t handle the blunt ways of the hard-charging chair they had hired precisely to give the place a kick. Therefore the defenestration of Albert Manifold after only eight months in post shows BP is even more dysfunctional than thought.The best outcome for shareholders, on this reading, would be a takeover bid from Shell to put everybody out of their misery. In the meantime, continues this interpretation, Amanda Blanc, the Aviva boss who is the senior independent director, should let somebody else lead the search for the next chair, given how her last production turned out. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Water firm fined £1.8m over parasite outbreak
Four people were hospitalised and there were more than 140 cases of sickness and diarrhoea in Devon.
bbc.com
King told me Post Office scandal was 'dreadful', says oldest victim
Betty Brown says she is accepting the honour on behalf of all the victims of the scandal.
theguardian.com
What Blair gets wrong about the economy – it is fired by people, not business | Letters
Readers respond to Jonathan Freedland’s article about Tony Blair’s vision for the futureJonathan Freedland says Tony Blair “would say you can only address [poverty and inequality] once the economy is firing. Maybe” (Tony Blair says he is all about the future – but his vision is woefully stuck in the past, 29 May). In fact poverty and inequality are the reasons the economy is misfiring. In the big economic crashes of history, gross inequality has been present.After 47 years, you would think that the obsession with supply-side economics might have been rumbled, but no: acres of newsprint are expended on the idea that incentivised businessmen alone can reboot the economy. There can be no animal spirits if there is no market to buy the goods. And things like people having to spend as much as 40% of their weekly salary on rent explains why there is no market, at least not without people having to get into dangerous and silly amounts of debt. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How public-sector pension schemes are funded | Letters
Prof John H Arnold and Douglas Russell respond to a letter that said defined-benefit pensions place enormous pressure on public financesProf Stephen Caddick’s letter (26 May) on public sector defined-benefit (DB) pension schemes requires a response. There are five large “unfunded” schemes: NHS, teachers, civil servants, police and army. It is true that employers, and thus ultimately taxpayers, put in a fairly high employer contribution. But without a decent pension scheme, such sectors are likely to require higher levels of pay to recruit and retain staff, the cost of which would also fall on taxpayers.The £1tn in liabilities for public DB schemes that Prof Caddick mentions is misleading, as is usually the case with any assessment of pension liabilities outside the private sector. This figure (in fact probably £1.3tn) estimates the money that the government would have to pay out to cover pensions were there no income coming from workers and employers to support them – that is, in the unlikely scenario that we suddenly ceased to have any NHS workers, teachers, soldiers and so forth, but only those in receipt of a pension in those areas. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘My son is still suffering’: the ill effects of water contamination in ‘Brixham incident’
Physical and psychological impacts of a tap water parasite outbreak continue to be felt in south DevonSouth West Water fined £1.85m over parasite outbreak in DevonMost of the tourists milling around the busy fishing harbour or visiting Agatha Christie’s riverside holiday retreat have probably forgotten what South West Water euphemistically calls the “Brixham incident”.But for residents at the centre of the “incident” – a parasite outbreak that caused perhaps hundreds of people in south Devon to fall ill after they drank contaminated water – the physical and psychological impacts are still keenly felt. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How England’s largest forest went from commodity to conservation haven
Kielder in Northumberland is balancing commercial production with conserving peatland and rare plants and animalsDriving through part of Northumberland, you might look around at the tall Sitka spruce and imagine yourself in Canada’s evergreen forests, or perhaps, on a sunny day, in northern California. Instead, you are in England’s largest forest, Kielder, often heralded as a success story that balances commercial production with ambitious conservation.The first trees of this 60,000-hectare forest were planted 100 years ago with one aim: increasing Britain’s timber reserves. Much has changed since then. From a single-use plantation, Kielder Forest has been transformed into a haven for nature and an invaluable environmental asset. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
theguardian.com
Google owner Alphabet to sell $80bn in stock to fund AI spending spree
Markets take note as world’s biggest equity fundraiser bids to garner more money than three biggest-ever IPOs combinedKenneth Rogoff: will AI create a permanent underclass?Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has said it plans to raise up to $80bn (£59bn) in equity to fund its vast artificial intelligence infrastructure investments, raising further questions over the economics of the AI boom.The move, the largest equity fundraising ever according to analysts, includes a $10bn share sale to the US investment group Berkshire Hathaway, which was led until last year by Warren Buffett. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Will the AI economy create a permanent underclass?
From India and Africa to Europe, countries not yet in the AI supply chain risk mass job losses, losing the tax revenue needed to deal with the tech’s falloutBusiness live – AI to drive up UK youth unemploymentThe San Francisco Bay Area is in the midst of an AI frenzy that makes the California gold rush of the mid-19th century look like a scavenger hunt. Top programmers and developers are being offered compensation packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars to switch firms, while young engineers lucky enough to have joined leading AI startups early are contemplating retirement before age 35.Driving up the Bayshore Freeway from San Francisco International airport into the city, you pass hyper-specific billboards advertising obscure AI applications seemingly aimed at absurdly niche audiences. How can that possibly be profitable? The answer is that in a city crawling with startups, getting the right software product in front of a founder whose company could soon be worth billions of dollars is far more lucrative than using billboard space to sell burgers or laundry detergent. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Instagram AI chatbot tricked by hackers to give access to others' accounts
Some reports have linked the incident to recent cases of high-profile Instagram accounts being hijacked.
bbc.com
Post Office scandal victim dedicates OBE to 'sub-postmasters we have lost'
The 92-year-old said she dedicate the OBE to 'all sub-postmasters we have lost'.
bbc.com
China goes after 'ghost kitchens' to rein in cut-throat food delivery apps
The thousands of "ghost kitchens" - online shops that don't actually exist - have spooked Chinese consumers.
bbc.com
AI giant Anthropic plans to sell shares in US as valuation nears $1tn
The AI company behind Claude is set to offer the public the chance to buy and sell shares in the firm later this year.
bbc.com
Steph Curry signs with Chinese brand after Under Armour split
Chinese firms have been vying to secure deals with big stars as they push to become global brands.
theguardian.com
I surrendered my driving licence after a spinal injury but the DVLA revoked it
Although I voluntarily handed in the licence, the agency’s action has made it far harder for me to get it backI suffered a spinal cord injury in August 2024. I voluntarily surrendered my driving licence to the DVLA, only for it to revoke it instead. This makes it much, much harder to get it back later on.I’ve since been told that I need to take a medical driving assessment to get the licence back, but I am unable to take one because I do not have a licence. I am now on my third application, with evidence from my spinal consultant and an off-road driving assessment confirming that I can drive with hand controls. This was submitted two months ago, and the DVLA still can’t update me. Continue reading...
bbc.com
London Tube strikes go ahead after talks fail
Members of the RMT union are on strike on Tuesday in a row over working hours, with further action planned for Thursday.
theguardian.com
Playground no more: Thais sick of badly behaved tourists hail stricter visas
Government cites crime and drunken antics of foreigners as it shortens their stays – with ordinary Thais welcoming the crackdownIt’s late afternoon at Bangkok’s Khaosan road, the city’s backpacker strip. Bar staff are calling after passersby, enticing them inside with drinks promotions. The smell of cannabis, widely sold in the city, wafts into the street, where vendors sell anything from fake tattoos, flip-flops and icy fruit shakes.This street, and its famously noisy nightlife, has attracted visitors from around the world for decades. But increasingly, some in Thailand are growing tired of the country’s party-loving visitors. Continue reading...
bbc.com
How 'confused' AI rollout hurts firms and baffles staff
Some firms are putting pressure on staff to use AI, but have not thought through their AI rollout.
bbc.com
OpenAI let ChatGPT aid and abet mass shooters, Florida lawsuit claims
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleges OpenAI and boss Sam Altman built a 'web of deceit'
bbc.com
UK banks blocked from cyber AI tool Mythos get offer from rival OpenAI
Nine banks have been offered access to GPT 5.5 Cyber, as fierce rival Anthropic has blocked previews of its tool.
bbc.com
Wise under investigation over money laundering control concerns
Wise says it is working with the Brussels prosecutor's office but that "no specific findings have been shared with us to date".
theguardian.com
Trump insists Iran deal close despite strikes – The Latest
As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end’ and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax’. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
bbc.com
Abusive passengers could be banned from all airlines under new proposal
The scheme would allow airlines to share information on disruptive passengers and potentially restrict their access to flights.
theguardian.com
‘Catastrophic for creative industries’: Brexit barriers shut UK actors out of EU jobs
Casting shifts to EU talent as paperwork delays and visa limits make hiring British crews less viableFrom blacklists for UK passport holders to being asked to work illegally while on holiday, the plethora of extra costs and red tape thrown up post-Brexit are restricting opportunities for British actors seeking work in the EU.Mainland Europe has always been a springboard for those in the creative industries, from gaining crucial first credits on a TV, film or theatre production to building a marketable resume and paying the bills while attempting to make it big in the UK or US. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French navy boards Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic – video
France has released footage that appears to show French naval commandos boarding a ship suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and subject to international sanctions. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the operation took place on the tanker, named the Tagor, with support of the UK and in strict compliance with the law of the sea. The French navy confirmed the interception occurred on SundayMacron says French navy has boarded Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic Continue reading...
bbc.com
What's happening to UK petrol and diesel prices?
Motoring group RAC warns pump prices could keep rising if there is no resolution to the Iran war.
bbc.com
Nvidia announces new AI chip for personal computers
The technology giant's boss Jensen Huang called the move the "reinvention of the computer".
bbc.com
EasyJet says possible takeover bid 'opportunistic'
US investment firm Castlelake is considering making an offer for the budget airline.
bbc.com
Put a £5 deposit on vapes to stop fires, say waste companies
The industry body for waste companies says a refundable deposit would help boost vape recycling, but others disagree.
bbc.com
Home care workers face fuel cost spike fears
Home care workers must be paid for their mileage and travel time, a Sheffield-based carer says.
bbc.com
A year of grief after Air India crash: What remains when a plane falls from the sky
A mother still speaks about her son who died in the crash in the present tense and a brother waits for answers.
bbc.com
Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices
Manufacturers in Jamaica say the key chilli peppers they need are in limited supply.
bbc.com
Why is Lidl opening a pub?
The debate about about what seems like a bizarre idea of having a cold pint after exploring the store's well known middle aisle.
theguardian.com
This model is not a real person: how AI is changing online shopping – video
From digital twins to models ‘sculpted’ by programmers, generative AI has been popping up all over the fashion industry. When an Australian e-commerce retailer started using AI-generated models to sell products, lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman had to see if the garments were more than mere pixels.The Iconic, which sells the dress worn in this video, said in a statement: ‘Where AI-generated imagery is used to advertise products for sale on our platform, our expectation is that it is clearly labelled and that the product itself is represented as accurately as possible for customers.’ Meanwhile, Atoir, the designer, said: ‘The Australian fashion industry is highly competitive, particularly for independent brands. We believe that when used responsibly, tools like this can help smaller businesses to operate with greater agility while still maintaining the creative standards and product integrity that matter to both the brand and the customer’Calling all fashion models … now AI is coming for you Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘The potential is huge’: Plymouth hopes defence money will have it sailing again
Local leaders are optimistic investment and regeneration plans will help make ‘ocean city’ an appealing place to livePlymouth may only have been rebranded as “Britain’s ocean city” in recent years, but its role as a centre of UK defence can be traced back to the 16th century thanks to its strategic location on Devon’s south coast. Sir Francis Drake set sail from Plymouth on his circumnavigation of the globe and it was here the Pilgrims finally departed England for America on board the Mayflower.In more recent decades, a dependence on the defence sector no longer seemed an asset, as spending cuts and the loss of dockyard jobs forced the city with a proud maritime history to square up to a new foe: economic uncertainty. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW
BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.
bbc.com
Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?
With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.
bbc.com
How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July
Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.
bbc.com
Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job
The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.
bbc.com
The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard
Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.
bbc.com
This beach hut costs the same as a three-bedroom house
A beach hut has gone on the market for £200,000 - the same price as some houses further along the Welsh coast.
bbc.com
Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control
The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.
bbc.com
'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
bbc.com
The Leeds designer outlet that's 15 miles from Leeds
A rebrand of the junction 32 retail park off the M62 has gone down poorly with some locals in Castleford.
bbc.com
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
Why are unpaid debt court cases rising?
bbc.com
Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
bbc.com
The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
bbc.com
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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